Walsall Wood quartet to join Byfield at Alvechurch - The Redditch Standard

Walsall Wood quartet to join Byfield at Alvechurch

Redditch Editorial 6th Jun, 2019   0

NEW boss Darren Byfield will welcome four of his former Walsall Wood players as part of his Alvechurch rebuilding.

The new Lye Meadow manager, named as successor to Ian Long last week, revealed Wood players of the season Kyle Rowley and Javia Roberts, plus Lloyd Ransome and John Atherton will follow to the Southern Premier Central club.

Byfield also confirmed skipper Jamie Willets, Kyle Morrison, Taylor Morrison and Josh Ezewele, who is on contract, will be staying with Church.

Roberts had a former spell with Alvechurch a couple of seasons ago and also played at Redditch under Byfield and, while the other Wood trio will be moving up to step three, the manager says they have the ability and hunger to impress.




Alvechurch will not have the budget of many of their Midlands rivals but Byfield is unfazed by having to look at different levels to build his squad.

“There are some big clubs in terms of Midlands non-League and we can’t shop at the places that Stourbridge, Tamworth or Nuneaton will be shopping. They can go to Harrods – we can only window-shop,” he quipped.


“But there are players out there and we can offer them the opportunity to play for Alvechurch, at a good club, at a good level and help them improve.

“Hopefully we can get the right blend.”

Centre-back Rowley, a former Walsall trainee, was Walsall Wood’s players’ player and supporters’ player of the season in 2018/19, while Roberts, named manager’s player of the season, was the top scorer with 15 goals.

Goalkeeper Ransome has previous experience with Hednesford Town and Gresley and winger Atherton will add firepower and flair.

“Javia has played at this level before and I believe the other lads will make the step up,” said Byfield.

“Kyle is a no-nonsense defender who is young, hungry and ambitious – the sort of player we are looking for.

“Lloyd is more experienced but he is a great character on and off the pitch and John is a really exciting talent.”

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